Quenching the thirst of our gorgeously pink Echinacea fields!

Beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, lacewings, ground beetles, dragonflies, spiders, and ladybugs are an essential part of any healthy ecosystem. These tiny friends are responsible for pollinating plants and preying on destructive insects such as sap hungry aphids.

Unfortunately, the future of beneficial insects is currently threatened. Habitat loss, introduced diseases, the spread of parasites, and worst of all, the widespread use of pesticides are causing populations to dwindle worldwide. In fact, it’s estimated that more than 30% of honeybee hives in the US have been lost to Colony Collapse Disorder since 2006 – and many keepers have reported a decline between 60% and 90% over the past few years.

However, you can support these critically important bugs by attracting them to your organic herb garden! Not only will growing these colorful and fragrant plants set your patch abuzz with insects, your yield will increase and you’ll have an abundant supply of pesticide-free, homegrown herbs to use for food, spices, teas, and medicine throughout the year. No garden space? Many of these plants can be easily grown outside in pots too.

Attract beneficial insects with these herbs…

Angelica

Basil

Borage

Calendula

California Poppy

Catnip

Cilantro

Comfrey

Crimson Clover

Dandelion

Dill

Echinacea

Evening Primrose

Fennel

Feverfew

Lavender

Lemon Balm

Meadowsweet

Parsley

Peppermint

Rosemary

Wood Betony

Yarrow

 We offer many of these herb seeds to help get your garden growing!

Some great resources to check out if you’re inspired to plant a bug-happy garden include, Homegrown Herbs by Tammi Hartung, The Medicinal Herb Grower by Richo Cech, Herbal Remedy Gardens by Dorie Byers, and Growing & Using Herbs Successfully by Betty E.M. Jacobs.

And don’t forget your Pesticide-Free garden sign to help get the message buzzing in your community!

 Buzzzzz!

Now that the gorgeous sunshine is warming up my days, I can finally start sipping my favorite iced treat again – Herbal Coffee Lattes with Vanilla Rooibos Ice Cubes! Deliciously caffeine-free, this creamy coffee alternative satisfies any craving for fancy lattes. With notes of roasted earth, caramel, and chocolate, this blend of roasted dandelion root, roasted chicory root, roasted carob, and maca powder is just too good. The Vanilla Rooibos ice cubes perfume the latte with floral vanilla bean flavor as they melt. They also add a good kick of antioxidants, vitamins, and trace minerals in addition to the nutrient rich herbal coffee blend. Perfect way to greet the morning sun!

Herbal Coffee Latte with Vanilla Rooibos Ice Cubes

Ingredients

- 8oz Herbal Coffee, brewed and chilled
- 12oz Vanilla Rooibos, brewed strong and frozen in an ice cube tray
- A splash of organic milk, cream, coconut milk, or alternative of your choice
- Raw local honey to taste

Directions

To make the cubes, measure 1oz of water for each compartment in your ice cube tray and use that amount of water plus 1 extra ounce to brew the Vanilla Rooibos tea. Fill your cube compartments with the strong tea and freeze until solid.

Next, brew 8oz of Herbal Coffee, sweeten to your liking with honey, and allow to cool. Fill a 16oz glass with several Vanilla Rooibos ice cubes and pour the cool Herbal Coffee over them. Add cream or nut milk of your choice, stir well, and sip away. This recipe is also wonderful with Firefly Chai tea!

If you want a boost of caffeine, add 1 teaspoon of green or black tea to the Herbal Coffee as you brew, or toss in 2 to 3 guarana seeds as you steep the tea.

Enjoy!

You may have noticed that this is not my normal Friday blog, bringing you exciting news about our products and packaging. Instead, once a month, I would like to share information about my other passion here at Mountain Rose Herbs – aromatherapy and essential oils!

Natural aromatic plant materials, such as essential oils, have been used for thousands of years to support the wellbeing of the mind and body. Over time the distillation and extraction of these oils has been perfected, and the therapeutic qualities have been researched and studied. Today the use of essential oils and other aromatic plant materials is known as aromatherapy or aromatology.

Did you know that the term aromatherapy was coined by accident? In 1928 the French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé suffered from an extreme burn on his forearm. His first reaction was to plunge his arm into lavender essential oil. From this moment of intuition, he discovered that the lavender oil was able to promote healing of burns and to prevent scarring. This accident initiated his curiosity and research in the therapeutic possibilities of essential oils.

Today aromatherapy is both an art and a science. It incorporates natural aromatics into the maintenance and restoration of the mind, body, and spirit. There are a variety of ways to utilize essential oils and aromatherapy. Many of which are easy to add to your daily routine. You may already be tapping into the benefits of aromatherapy without even knowing it! From daily moisturizers and soaps to scented candles and room sprays, there is always more behind the aroma.

Want to learn more? We offer a wide variety of books on Aromatherapy and Essential Oils. From the beginner to the advanced, you will find the perfect addition to your library.

Coming next month: What is an essential oil?

Here’s a photo of our trusty pal Maggie “The Herbal Wonder Dog” taken during the last river clean-up we attended. She enjoyed a dip in the river while we pulled blackberry roots, English Ivy, and other invasive plants crowding out the native plant communities.

You can learn more about the Mountain Rose River Project by visiting our website!

Just for fun, here’s another shot of our darling Mags drying in the sun…

Did you know that vinegar can be infused with medicinal herbs to create wonderful alcohol-free extracts? While not as potent as alcohol based tinctures, an herbal vinegar extract is a strong alternative for children, anyone abstaining from alcohol, or those with alcohol sensitivities.

Vinegar has been used for thousands of years to preserve food, disinfect surfaces, deodorize, and to make medicinal formulas. In fact, before stills were used to produce high proof alcohol, most herbal extracts were made with solvents like water, wine, and vinegar. The original Four Thieves formula used to protect robbers against infection during the plague is thought to have been made with vinegar as the base.

We know that vinegar, especially raw apple cider vinegar, offers health benefits in addition to its extraction abilities. Studies show that vinegar can be helpful for diabetes, high cholesterol, digestion, skin health, hair care, fatigue, and weight control. Medicinal extractions can be made with vinegar alone or with both vinegar and alcohol to create an acetous tincture. This method will release more active properties than vinegar alone, but straight vinegar extracts still have a lot to offer as medicine if properly prepared.

Dried herbs tend to produce the most effective medicinal vinegar extract, but fresh herbs can be used to make nutritive vinegars for culinary recipes, since the vinegar will extract minerals as well as the flavor of the herbs. My favorite vinaigrette is made with fresh nettle and mugwort infused vinegar, but thyme, oregano, garlic, and rosemary are nice too. You can learn more about culinary vinegars in our previous blog post.

How To:

Medicinal Vinegar Extract Method

Step 1

Chop or grind your dried herb to a coarse powder. You can also find many powdered medicinal herbs available on our website. Fill 1/5 of your sterilized jar with the herb. Pour organic apple cider vinegar over the herb until the jar is filled to the top. Cover tightly and allow to extract for 14 days in a cool, dark place. Be sure to shake the jar daily.

Step 2

After 2 weeks, strain the herb through cheesecloth. Set the strained liquid in a capped jar on a shelf and allow the sediment to settle overnight. Decant the clear liquid layer into another sterilized jar using a strainer. Cap tightly, label, and store for up to 6 months in a cool, dark place.

Step 3

If you are infusing the vinegar with roots or barks, there is one more step you might want to take. Once the mixture has extracted for 2 weeks and the herbs have been strained out, heat the infusion just short of boiling and filter through cloth while hot. The heat will help congeal albumin in the solution that can then be removed when straining. Excess albumin can encourage your extract to spoil quickly.

To Use:

As a general guide, take 1 tbsp of the vinegar extract up to 5 times a day when needed, unless you are working with potent low/drop dosage herbs. Due to the acid content in vinegar, be sure to avoid direct contact with your teeth. You may want to mix each dose of medicinal vinegar with water or tea to dilute the acidity.

For more information about making medicinal herbal vinegar extracts at home, check out Making Plant Medicine by Richo Cech and The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook by James Green.

This special guest recipe comes to us from Jessie Friedman’s blog A Daring Soul. A mixed media artist from Massachusetts, Jessie is the painter behind the very cute owl-themed ”Happy Whoos” (see above). When she’s not painting, her creativity is channeled into baking and cooking healthy treats. Be sure to check out Jessie’s blog for more recipes, artwork, and stories from her joy-seeking journey! Big thanks to Jessie for sharing this super easy coconut milk recipe…

 Homemade Coconut Milk Recipe

I love coconut milk! My only problem is that I can’t buy it from a brand that I trust. Most refrigerated cartons have way too many strange ingredients that just shouldn’t be in coconut milk and the cans are lined with BPA. So, what’s a coconut milk loving gal to do? Make her own! Let me tell you, it is super yummy! Better than any coconut milk you can possibly buy! Here’s the recipe…

Ingredients

• 2 cups organic unsweetened shredded coconut flakes  (<–Mountain Rose Herbs’ is the best!)
• 2 cups hot (not boiling) water
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon organic pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons local honey

Directions

1. In a large bowl, soak the coconut in hot (not boiling) water for about 20 minutes.

2. Pour soaked coconut with its water, the remaining water, vanilla, and honey into the blender.  Blend on high until mixed well.

3. In a large bowl, strain the liquid through a cheesecloth or nut milk bag.  Compost the pulp.

4.  Store milk in mason jars (my favorite!) and place them in the refrigerator.  It should keep for about 3 days.

5. Serve and enjoy!

This coconut milk is delicious with a swirl of cinnamon and cayenne, matcha powder, cacao powder, poured in smoothies, or used to make spicy chai! Leave out the honey and vanilla if you want to try it in savory dishes, curries, soups, etc.

Salves are such a simple, effective, and useful medicine! They can easily be slipped into a purse, pocket, or first aid kit.  Although semi-solid at room temperature, salves soften once applied to the skin, making them less messy to apply than oils.  They also make great gifts and are an easy and approachable way to introduce newbies to the medicinal properties of herbs.  Plus, salves can be crafted for a wide variety of topical uses including: arthritis, bruises, cuts, rashes, inflammation, insect bites and stings, sores, sprains, strains, wounds, and other skin irritations and conditions.  The addition of beeswax offers additional benefits including protective, soothing, emollient, nourishing, and healing properties.

Part 1: Make Herbal Infused Oil

To make salve, first craft your herbal infused oil(s).  This will take several weeks, but once finished, the rest of the salve making process will only take minutes!   You can also purchase pre-infused herbal oils if needed or if you wish to skip the process of infusing the oil.

Solar Method: When making your own herbal infused oils, we prefer the solar infused method.  Fill a glass jar 1/4 full of dried botanical, and then cover with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or other carrier oil of choice with a stable shelf life) leaving at least 1-2” of oil above the herbs to allow the herbs to swell.  Generally, 4 ounces of herb is used for each 1-2 cups of oil, but this depends upon the herb used.  Dense materials, such as roots and barks, will absorb far less than fluffy materials such as flowers and leaves.  Place jar in a sunny window and shake once or twice per day. Allow the oil to infuse for at least 4-6 weeks, or until the oil takes on the color and scent of the herb.  Once the oil is ready, strain using cheesecloth, and bottle into amber bottles for storage.  Make sure to squeeze as much oil as possible from the herbs and cheesecloth so that you do not waste any precious oil!  Herbal oils will keep for approximately a year if stored properly in a dark and cool place.  Vitamin E Oil may also be added to prolong the shelf life.

Stovetop Method: Another way to infuse oils, which is sometimes necessary when herbal oils need to be created in a pinch, is the double boiler or crock-pot method.  Much care needs to be taken when creating herbal oils this way because you do not want to deep-fry your herbs!  Place herbs in crock-pot, double boiler, or electric yogurt maker, and cover with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or other carrier oil of choice) leaving at least an inch of oil above the herbs.  You will use approximately 1-2 oz of dry herb to each cup of oil.  Gently heat the herbs over very low heat (preferably between 100 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit) for 1-5 hours until the oil takes on the color and scent of the herb.  Some texts recommend heating the oil 48-72 hours at a controlled temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  Turn off heat and allow to cool. Once that the oil is ready, strain using cheesecloth, and bottle into amber bottles for storage.

Part 2: Turn that Oil into Salve!

• 8 oz herbal infused oil(s) of your choice.  Choose one or a combination.
• 1 oz Beeswax (use Carnauba Wax for a vegan salve)
• 10 drops Vitamin E Oil (optional)
• 10-20 drops essential oil of choice (optional). Some essential oils commonly used are: Lavender, Chamomile, Tea Tree, or Myrrh.
• Glass Jars or Tin Containers

Place Herbal Infused Oils and Beeswax over a double boiler, and gently warm over low heat until the Beeswax melts.  Remove from heat and add the essential oil and Vitamin E Oil (if using).  Quickly pour into prepared tins or glass jars and allow to cool completely.  Salves should be stored in a cool location where they will remain semi-solid and will not continue to re-melt and re-solidify.  If stored correctly, salves will last for 1- 3 years. Yields 8 oz.

Note:  The consistency of salves can easily be adjusted depending on your preferences.  Use less Beeswax for a softer salve and more Beeswax if you’d prefer a firmer salve.  You can test the consistency by placing a few spoons in the freezer before making your salve.  When the Beeswax melts, pour a little salve onto one of the cold spoons and place it back into the freezer for 1-2 minutes.  Once cooled, you can make adjustments by adding more oil (for a softer salve) or more Beeswax (for a firmer salve).

Herbs for Salve

You can make salve with a single herb or multiple herbs, depending on your needs.  It’s useful to make a variety of herbal infused oils so that you can easily craft salve whenever you need it!

Arnica flowers: Can help treat physical trauma, bruises, bunions, strains, sprains, some kinds of arthritis, and muscle pain. Use immediately after strenuous exertion or injury to prevent, relieve, and reduce swelling, bruises and pain.

Burdock root: For treating psoriasis, eczema, and skin infections.

Calendula flowers:  Wonderfully healing with all-around healing properties useful for a wide variety of skin irritations and conditions including wounds, insect bites, rashes, scrapes, abrasions, cuts, inflammations, and much more.  Suitable for sensitive skin and babies.

Cayenne Pepper: Warming, good for arthritis and sore muscles, alleviates pain and itching.

Chamomile flowers: Hemorrhoids, minor abrasions, cuts, scrapes, and wounds.

Chickweed: Soothing, helps with skin conditions including psoriasis, eczema, minor burns, rashes, and other skin irritations.

Comfrey leaf and/or root: Relieves pain, swelling, promotes the growth of muscle, cartilage, and bone. Assists with healing a wide variety of conditions including sprains, eczema, dermatitis, viral skin infections, broken bones, arthritis, wounds, and bruises.

Echinacea herb and/or root: Antibacterial, beneficial for sores, wounds, insect bites and stings.

Ginger root: Warming, use for arthritis and sore muscles.

Goldenseal leaf and/or root: Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, useful for treating wounds and skin conditions.

Lavender flowers: Soothing, calming, relieves hemorrhoids, pain, has healing properties beneficial for wounds and numerous skin conditions.

Myrrh Gum powder: Antiseptic properties, used for cuts, scrapes, scratches, and abrasions.

Nettle leaf:  Anti-inflammatory, an effective treatment for many skin conditions.

Oregon Grape root: Skin disinfectant, antibacterial, anti-microbial, helps heal wounds.

Plantain leaf: Antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antitoxic properties. Helps speed the recovery process, prevents infection, relieves and soothes insect bites and stings, pain, poison ivy, itching, rashes, sores, bruises, blisters, and damaged skin.

St. John’s Wort: Craft the deep red-colored oil from fresh flowers.  Anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.  Beneficial for wounds, cuts, bruises, swelling, varicose veins, insect bites and stings, nerve damage, scrapes, rashes, burns, and pain.

Thyme: A strong antiseptic used for cuts, scrapes, and sore muscles.

Yarrow Flowers: Apply to bruises, sprains, wounds, cuts, rashes, eczema, scrapes, and areas with swelling and bleeding.

Please note that this is only a partial list, many other healing herbs can also be incorporated into salves.

Happy salve making!

~ irene

For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Store your dried herbs, spices, and other ingredients in our new Pantry Jars!

These clear glass jars are made in France, with a wide-mouth that allows easy filling and cleaning. The rubber gasket seal and easy-to-use clamp down lid creates an air-tight seal for convenient storage. Also known as traditional canning jars, these stylish jars are perfect for storing your herbal goodies and kitchen creations.

Available in three different sizes! Mix and match the sizes that you need or grab a 12 count case of one size for your storage needs.

Time for tea!

We’re sipping on Jasmine Pearls and watching the spring rain mist across the wetlands…

We are teaming up with LearningHerbs and Aviva Romm to celebrate Herb Day with a free webinar!

Outdoor Kids: Herbal First Aid for Summer

Thursday, May 3rd

8:30pm Eastern, 7:30 Central, 6:30 Mountain, 5:30 Pacific

Click here to register for this free webinar with Aviva Romm!

Aviva Romm, M.D., is the author of Naturally Healthy Babies and Children, The Natural Pregnancy Book, and Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health. Before graduating Yale Medical School, she was a practicing herbalist and midwife for over 20 years. She is also a former president of the American Herbalists Guild, mom to four kids, and grandma to one.

During this 90 minute webinar with Aviva you will learn…

~ Six fun herbal activities you can share with your kids this summer ~

~ What to pack in your simple summer herbal first aid kit ~

~ When to use herbs and when to see the doctor ~

Simple herbal treatments for…

~ Bites and Stings ~

~ Boo-boo’s and Ouchies ~

~ Sunburn ~

~ Poison Ivy ~

~ Allergies ~

Plus! There will be 3 prizes given away during the webinar including our Fairytale Tea Set, a subscription to Herb Fairies from Learning Herbs, and a copy of Aviva’s book Naturally Healthy Babies and Children!

Register for the free webinar here: www.HerbWebinar.com

 Happy Herb Day!